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. 2017 Jul 14;13(7):e1006888. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006888

Fig 11. Model for the regulation of NlpD during cell division.

Fig 11

Shown is a schematic depicting two cycles of a potential coupling mechanism coordinating septal PG splitting by NlpD/AmiC with OM invagination. Prior to the initiation of constriction, we envision that the dLytM domain of OM-anchored NlpD is prevented from accessing the PG layer and/or AmiC, potentially by physical distance or protein conformation constraints. When the divisome is activated, OM constriction promoted by the Tol-Pal system may bring the dLytM domain of NlpD into proximity of the PG layer and AmiC where it can stimulate septal PG splitting. AmiC activation also appears to require YraP, which may activate NlpD directly or indirectly through its yet to be determined role in maintaining OM integrity. PG processing by AmiC is expected to increase the distance between the OM and PG layer, thus returning NlpD to its inactive configuration and requiring another round of OM constriction to trigger further PG processing and so on until cell division is complete and the daughter cells are separated. Shown are hypothetical protein conformations and interactions within the Tol-Pal system based on current literature [65–71].